Pennsylvania Statutes of Limitations
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By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed March 28, 2025
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All states, including Pennsylvania, have laws that regulate how long a person has to file a lawsuit or prosecute a crime. These time limits are called statutes of limitations. Every state, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has two types of statutes of limitations: criminal and civil.
Pennsylvania criminal statute of limitations dictates how long the state has to pursue criminal charges against an offender. The filing deadlines vary depending on the seriousness of the crime. For example, the time limit to prosecute a defendant for a misdemeanor charge is two years. There is no statute of limitations on murder.
Pennsylvania's civil statutes of limitations dictate how long a plaintiff has to file a personal injury lawsuit against a defendant. The statute of limitations period for civil cases ranges from one to 20 years.
The most common type of civil case, the personal injury claim, has a two-year statute of limitations. For example, if you're in a car accident and the insurance company doesn't pay your claim, you may have to file a personal injury case. You'll have two years from the date of the injury to file your cause of action.
Other types of civil actions have varying filing deadlines.
Understanding the statute of limitations that applies to your situation is very important if you plan to file legal action or are involved in a criminal case.
Why Are Statutes of Limitations Important to Your Case?
The Pennsylvania courts are very strict about enforcing the statutes of limitations. If a plaintiff misses the filing deadline by one day, the judge will dismiss the case as untimely filing.
Even if their case somehow makes it onto the court's calendar, the defendant will file a motion to dismiss since you missed the limitations period. The judge will have no choice but to grant their motion. This means you'll lose your chance to pursue damages.
Similarly, if the state prosecutor doesn't file criminal charges before the criminal statute of limitations period expires, they will have to dismiss the charges. Defendants should not have to wait years for the state to prosecute their case. At some point, it's only fair that an alleged offender can stop looking over their shoulder. The statute of limitations laws dictate how much time the prosecutor has to move forward.
Do the Courts Ever Extend the Statute of Limitations?
The courts rarely extend the statute of limitations, civil or criminal. Part of this is because the rationale for these filing deadlines is strong. Another reason is that court rules and procedures are there for a reason. People need to follow the rules, or there will be consequences.
Sometimes, it makes sense to make an exception to these rules.
Some of these exceptions include:
- If the plaintiff in a civil case is a minor, the statute of limitations period begins once the plaintiff turns 18.
- If a court has deemed the plaintiff/defendant mentally incapacitated, the clock starts to run when the person becomes mentally competent.
- If the defendant in a civil case is evading service or otherwise hiding, the court may extend the statute of limitations period.
Of course, this is a short list. For more information, consult FindLaw's statute of limitations pages.
Learn About Pennsylvania Statutes of Limitations
Pennsylvania Civil Statute of Limitations
This page discusses the statutes of limitations for civil lawsuits in Pennsylvania law, including:
- Personal injury
- False imprisonment
- Defamation/libel
- Fraud
- Personal property damage
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Judgments against real property
- Trespassing
Pennsylvania Criminal Statute of Limitations
This page explains Pennsylvania's criminal statutes of limitations for various types of felonies and misdemeanors, including:
- Murder
- Voluntary manslaughter
- Sexual assault
- Solicitation or conspiracy (if murder results)
You Don't Have to Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer's Help
Meeting with an experienced Pennsylvania attorney for legal advice is the best way to ensure you file your case on time. Whether you're dealing with a civil or criminal case, you must follow the court rules.